Episode 1: Beyond the Bandage - Training, Trust and Business Growth

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Bandage, the ABC First Aid podcast.In this launch episode, hosts Jeff Irvine and Dee sit down with Susan Devlin, CEO of ABC First Aid, and Andy Parker from Understand Your Group to explore the future of first aid training, compliance, leadership and business growth.Susan shares her journey into the training industry, why high-quality first aid education is critical, and how the sector has evolved over the years. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how ABC First Aid supports its training partners and why professional development, compliance and people remain central to success.Andy then joins the conversation to unpack the marketing and business growth side of the industry, discussing AI, brand trust, digital marketing strategies and why returning to the fundamentals may be the most powerful strategy for businesses heading into 2026 and beyond.This podcast series has been designed for industry, by industry, giving training providers, partners and business leaders access to practical insights, real experience and expert perspectives.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeSusan Devlin’s journey into the training and safety industryWhy quality first aid training matters more than everHow the first aid training landscape has changedThe impact of blended learning and express training modelsHow ABC First Aid supports partners behind the scenesWhy professional development and currency are criticalHow training providers can improve client retentionMarketing challenges facing small businesses todayThe role of AI in business and marketingWhy brand trust and storytelling matterThe leadership mindset required for business growth in 2026